The raisins of the Axarquia were known right from the time of the Arabs, and were exported to other parts of the East. The enviable climate of the area and its fertile soils make the vineyards grow in the best conditions. The little white villages with Moorish air of this Malaga region preserved, even, cultivation techniques from those years and to visit these places becomes a real treat.
The Raisin Route covers the municipalities of Totalán, Comares, Cútar, El Borge, Almáchar and Moclinejo. In this 62 km route are the best raisins in the world. We suggest a plan so that from Torrox, also in the Axarquia and get recognized for having the best climate in Europe, you visit these places and spend a wonderful weekend enjoying the sweetest delicacy of the vine.
DAY 1
Torrox is the ideal place to start The Raisin Route through the Axarquía of Malaga. After getting up and drinking the first morning coffee overlooking the sea in this beautiful coastal town, you’re ready to hone your senses and enjoy this special tour.
Vélez-Málaga
Vélez-Málaga
The first stop you have to do is in Vélez Málaga. To do this, jump into the car and take the A7, this municipality is only 20 minutes away. Here you will be able to introduce yourself, first thing, in the world of the vineyards, the wine and the raisins. We recommend you visit the Jorge Ordoñez Wineries for their quality and all they represent.
An important curiosity of this establishment is that their wine Victoria Nº 2 2012, was served at the meal offered to the Queen of England, Elizabeth II, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, which was held on the occasion of her 88th birthday in Picton Castle, Wales. In turn the Victoria Nº 2 is the only Spanish wine that has been present in the banquet celebration of the Nobel Prizes, on December 10th 2012, in the Blue Hall (Blue Room) of the City Hall of Stockholm; the Gala Dinner brought together 1.300 guests.
After giving a tour of the city, you can go back to the car to continue on this Raisin Route.
Almáchar
Almáchar
The next stop on this first day is Almáchar. To reach this town you have to take the MA-135 Highway and in 26 minutes you will reach your destination. On the way you can enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the Axarquía of Malaga where you can see the hillsides full of vineyards in the rural surroundings of Arab origin that is still preserved. Here you can enjoy tapas in the Bar de los López, where you will find a delicious fried “little fish” to whet your appetite before lunch, as well as the famous garlic soup and other local delicacies.
El Borge
El Borge
After midday you will arrive at El Borge by the MA-148 Highway which is only 7 minutes from Almáchar. Here are the most delicious raisins of the whole province of Malaga and on a walk through its narrow and steep laneways you will make out how village life revolves around this product, both for its sculptures as for its native products offered for sale. If you want you can approach the cooperative Nuestra Señora del Rosario, where you can purchase both figs and raisins. Also, here you will be able to enjoy gourmet flavors of the highest quality such as figs dipped in chocolate and other delicacies.
The Ornithological Park and La Alcua Botanical Gardens
While lunchtime arrives, you can also visit the Ornithological Park and La Alcua Botanical Gardens of El Borge. At lunchtime, nothing better than the Posada del Bandolero, an old restored mill that still preserves all its charm. Here you can enjoy typical Andalucian food, made the traditional way and in a rustic atmosphere.
Here, among other things, it is noteworthy to comment on the story of the Cross-eyed of El Borge, a bandit that some branded as criminal and others of righteous, brave and generous but who after all is an example of what the XIXth Century was in Andalucia and the proliferation of these bandits on the roads. This one was feared throughout the region and was eventually killed in Lucena.
Cútar
Cútar
After eating and enjoying El Borge, the Raisin Route heads towards another nearby town, Cútar, which is reached by the same highway MA-148 in just 11 minutes. The village of Arab aesthetics produces some well known raisins, just like its oil. At this point you can buy their products at any establishment in the village and take home one of its sweet wines. Just to put a little sugar on the palate are the milk cakes that you cannot miss out on.
Torrox
Torrox, Alpujarras
After taking a stroll through the village, you can make your way back, where you can go stopping along the route and in one of the municipalities stop to watch the sunset among the vineyards. The image is unique and you can immortalize it with your camera. To get to Torrox you must take the MA-145 then deviate to the A-356 until you reach the A7 that leaves you at your destination. All that remains is to reach the apartment and rest to recharge the batteries to continue the route the next day.
DAY 2
It dawns again in the beautiful town of Torrox Malaga and it is time to have breakfast and resume the Raisin Route. This time you must drive the car towards Moclinejo.
Molinejo
Moclinejo. Photo: gipweb.es
It will take about 45 minutes to reach Moclinejo and you must take the A7 and then deviate on the MA-149 Highway. Surely in this town you must visit the A. Muñoz Cabrera wineries (Dimobe), previous notice. The basis of the high quality of the wines produced here undoubtedly lies in the location of their vineyards, an exceptional climate and good adaptation of the Muscat of Alexandria variety to their life in the Axarquia. The vineyards are located on the ledge separating the towns of Moclinejo and Almáchar.
You will be able to see all these lands from the place, besides enjoying the people and, especially, the Study Center of Raisins and Wine. This enclosure is a tribute to the traditional culture of the vine, of the tasks of the harvest, process of obtaining the muscatel raisins (drying, shredding, screening and crushing of the grapes) and the elaboration of the muscatel wine. A journey through history is shown through numerous objects, photographs and utensils, coupled with the aging of wine.
Comares
Comares
After visiting this interesting point of the Raisin Route, it is time to go back to the car, this time heading towards Comares. Be careful on the highway because it is a mountain path and you will have make several changes of route. You must take the MA-149 north and follow the different detours by the MA-148, MA-146 and MA-169 which will lead you to the MA-165 that reaches Comares. The estimated time from Moclinejo is 55 minutes.
Once you get there, let yourself be carried away by the beauty of this town and look for the Molino de los Abuelos restaurant for lunch. This establishment will make you fall in love with its food, its aesthetics and its views. In this totally rustic atmosphere you will be able to taste the typical Spanish food and you will understand why Comares is called “the balcony of the Costa del Sol”; the entire coastline can be seen from above.
After lunch take a stroll through this Arab town and do not hesitate to buy wine from Comares. This sweet wine was already known in ancient times (according to ancient writings, exported at the time of the Caliphate of Córdoba to the Court of Baghdad) is another of its major claims along with the verdiales, the typical folk dance of these Malaga Mountains.
Totalán
Totalán
Once you’ve enjoyed Comares, it is time to get back in the car towards Totalán. The journey lasts about 45 minutes and must take the MA-165. This is one of the smallest municipalities of the province, and it keeps in it, a special charm. In spite of this it cannot be left out of the Raisin Route because of its importance. Here in addition to their products obtained from the vine, you can find a curious point of interest and it is the dolmen of the Cerro de la Corona (IV and III millennium B.C.).
Torre del Mar
Torre del Mar
In just two days you’ve thus visited the most popular villages of the Raisin Route and as the perfect end to these days, there is nothing better than a good dinner. For this we recommend you take the car and visit Torre del Mar, at 28 minutes already circulating on the A7.
Here you will find The Cave (La Cueva), a “fried fish” restaurant where, among its variety you’ll find classic references such as the fried or grilled pink cuskeel, crab, anchovies, squid, stingray, breaded shrimp, cuttlefish, fried octopus and grilled baby squid, all of this without forgetting its famous ‘perianas’ breaded meat steaks that attract visitors from the whole region. A treat for the senses!
Six landscapes that inspire a trip to Vélez-Málaga, the heart of the Axarquia
Gran Senda de Málaga, 5 routes to explore Axarquía
WHERE TO STAY
Olee Holiday Rentals
To enjoy the Axarquía of Malaga, there is nothing better than to trust Fuerte Hoteles. The Olée Holiday Rentals Apartments are in a perfect location in the eastern Costa del Sol, between Torrox and Nerja, typical Andalucian villages with the best climate in all Europe.
This accommodation offers you peace of mind while it leaves a large number of activities and places to visit within you reach. The resort has air conditioning, a spacious seating area with satellite TV and a modern kitchen that is equipped with oven, dishwasher, washer and dryer. Some have a terrace and a wonderful view of the Mediterranean Sea.